§ 30. Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the European Community to discuss objective 1 and objective 5b status definitions of areas in Scotland; and if he will make a statement on progress.
§ Mr. StewartNegotiations on revised regulations for the EC structural funds made excellent progress on 3 July, thanks to the considerable efforts of United Kingdom negotiators and in particular my right hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Department of Trade and Industry.
I am very pleased that, subject to final agreement in the Council later this month, the whole of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area will now be granted objective 1 status. This demonstrates the advantage for Scotland of relying on the considerable weight which the United Kingdom as a whole can bring to bear in EC negotiations.
The process of designating objective 5b areas in Scotland will begin as soon as the regulations have been adopted. It is as yet too early to say what areas might qualify.